Tons of good information! I am a seldom poster but have spent the last 2 hours reading this entire string. What brought me to it was a search for a good DG rifle of which I hope to use within the next 5 years or so. It only took me to the young age of 59 to make my first safari and hope I live to make a few more, God willing!
I currently have a Ruger Hawkeye African in 375 Ruger. I have spent the last few months researching and am settling towards the 458 either Lott or Win Mag but more heavily to the Lott. I certainly can’t afford 5-6 figures but do want a reliable DG gun. With all reliability in tow, a 5-6 figure gun is no better than a $350 market gun if the user is not well versed in the operation, fit, form and function of the gun. As hunters we owe it to the PHs, guides and trackers to prepare and practice well before getting in the field and freezing when everything goes to hell in a hand basket.
I have the utmost respect for those guys as they put their necks on the line for their clients!
Anyway, I’m leaning towards a Winchester, CZ, FN and maybe a Whitworth with the understanding that what ever I end up with will probably need work and hours of me behind the trigger.
I think you have narrowed your selection down to the correct rifles. I cannot comment on the Whitworth no experience with that one. I have never seen a bad FN, but I really have not seen any in a long time. So I will comment on the M-70 Safari Classic and the CZ. First the M-70 Safari Classic. I believe it has everything that you want or need, except Four things:
1. I do not believe it comes in .458 Lott, so you will have to have it rechambered, of course I could be wrong?
2. I believe you will want it glass bedded
3. Are you satisfied with the 3 round magazine. If not now you are talking new bottom metal and new stock. $$$$$
4. While it is being rechambered, I would totally disassemble and do a little smoothing on the bolt rails, they may or may not need it.
CZ USA has been in the news lately so most of you will understand this JOKE, you do not see rhino poachers leaving their M-70s behind, like I said this is a JOKE!
CZ 550 Safari.
1. Cut barrel, recrown and install barrel band swivel
2. install new front sight (NECG)
3. install new trigger
4.install new 3 position safety
5. glass bed
6. Plenty of action smoothing (you may be lucky and get one that is perfect, I am never that lucky)
7. You may want some work done on the bolt handle?
Just opinion, but I do think the CZ has a better & smoother barrel. Unfortunately I own a Lyman bore scope, rifles that I thought had perfect barrel can be very rough, even new ones!
I believe AHR does all of this work for around $1700.00. Or a little more than what you paid for the rifle!
The only advantage is the 5 rd. magazine, which I do consider a advantage. Yes, one will placed shot should do the job, but life is not always kind and Africa never is!
